STUDENTS across the shire have received their NAPLAN results, with the annual test providing an insight as to how local schools are tracking and informing future direction of classroom practice.
NAPLAN, which stands for the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy, is a series of tests focusing on basic skills undertaken by students in years three, five, seven and nine.
Last year the annual test was moved to earlier in the year, with testing conducted in term one as opposed to term two.
The March time slot provides schools with a clearer picture of where students are at with their learning, creating an opportunity earlier in the year to tailor support and development.
Concern has been raised nationwide that school students are not meeting literacy and numeracy benchmarks, with 2024 NAPLAN results also showing that one in ten students need additional support,
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There has been a call to implement classroom reform.
However at a local level both primary and secondary schools expressed confidence in the classroom and current measures taken to deliver crucial foundational learning.
In February this year, St. Mary’s School, and all 293 Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) schools, made the switch to explicit instruction of reading, writing and mathematics in response to years of national NAPLAN results that showed teaching methods were failing Australian students.
Explicit learning allows students to gain foundational skills and knowledge, with new information building on understood facts and tasks broken down into manageable chunks with clear step-by-step instruction.
"NAPLAN is just one of numerous assessment tools we use to inform and drive MACS Vision for Instruction," said St Mary's principal, Trish Etcell.
"The NAPLAN tests evaluate critical skills necessary for student progression in both academic pursuits and in life, encompassing reading, writing, spelling, grammar, and numeracy.
"The test content aligns closely with the Australian Curriculum standards.
"Together, this data empowers us to tailor and personalise learning experiences to best meet the unique needs of each student."
Ms Etcell said the school was delighted to report that in 2024, an impressive 99 per cent of St Mary's students in years three and five participated in the NAPLAN testing, showcasing the school's commitment to fostering academic excellence and growth among the student body.
Acting principal Nicole Salmon said the leadership team were generally impressed with Mansfield Primary School's results.
"There were some outstanding achievements as a school," she said, bringing attention to year five reading in particular.
"The school is 12 per cent above the network average for students in exceeding and strong in reading results for this year group.
"And the cohort are sitting at five per cent above the network average in exceeding and strong for year five writing and numeracy."
Of the year three students 75 per cent rated strong for writing, and were on par with the network average for numeracy.
"This is very pleasing considering these are our COVID preps who spent half a year learning from home in their first year of schooling," Ms Salmon said.
"It is also validating to see students in year three who were identified as needing additional support in reading have already received tier three intervention support or are currently receiving intensive support through our literacy intervention programs led by Amy Jacob."
Ms Salmon said the focus moving forward is to continue to embed our new structured literacy model in foundation to year three.
"This is already showing positive impacts across reading, spelling and writing that we will start to see in NAPLAN results from 2025," she said.
Students at Mansfield Steiner School also undertake NAPLAN, with the school embracing the test more as a learning opportunity for students to undertake and experience a different form of assessment.
Results are not necessarily reflective of the school's curriculum, which takes a deliberately slower approach to learning.
“Mansfield Steiner School always participates in NAPLAN," said principal Glenn Hood.
"We do not, however, teach to these tests.
"Our play-based prep program and deliberately later start to ‘formal’ learning, along-side our screen-free primary school, means that the results of this testing only become more relevant for us in later primary school and secondary school. “
Mansfield Secondary College principal Tim Hall was pleased with the school's results, describing them as "outstanding" and commending students on their performance in the national assessment.
"Our results outperform similar schools in all key areas - reading, writing, spelling, grammar and punctuation, and numeracy," Mr Hall said.
"These results are a testament to the hard work and dedication of both our students and staff."
Mr Hall said he was especially proud to highlight the achievements of several students in year nine who excelled across various domains, receiving certificates of achievement.
Astrid Jackman, Abi Heron, Fin Dunsmore, Lillian Currie and Jota Andrijwesky were all recognised for exceeding standard in reading.
While Emma Gove and Tristan Fox exceeded the standard in both reading and numeracy.
Zac Hotton also received a certificate for exceeding standard in numeracy.
"These students have demonstrated exceptional skills and commitment, setting a high bar for academic excellence at our school," said Mr Hall.
Mr Hall said the school believes in nurturing the potential of each student, and these results reflect that commitment to provide a supportive and rich learning environment.
"We congratulate all our students on their achievements and look forward to continued success in the future," he said.
